True Crime Channel Launched in UK

Sony Pictures Television has announced that it is launching a brand new UK channel, True Crime, on Tuesday 22nd March, 2016. Available on Freeview channel 60, True Crime will host back-to-back crime related programming, making it the platform’s only dedicated crime channel. Hosting a schedule packed with gripping real life stories, unexpected murder mysteries and […]

A+E Networks’ channel H2® to be transitioned to VICELAND

A+E Networks®, a global media content company and VICE Media, the youth media brand and digital content studio, are launching a joint venture that will offer VICE as a new 24-hour channel programmed and produced exclusively by VICE. A+E Networks’ channel H2® will be transitioned to VICELAND (working title). Launching in early 2016, VICELAND will […]

TVNZ to Launch New Male-Skewed Entertainment Channel

TVNZ has announced plans to launch a male-skewing entertainment channel for New Zealand viewers in coming months. The new channel will be live streamed online and broadcast free to air. The new channel’s development has been informed by market insights that indicate male viewers are seeking more distinctive content. It also builds on recent experience […]

Ovation Digital Arts Launched

Ovation TV, has launched a unique multi-platform artist community that combines talented YouTube creators and the only television network in America dedicated to the arts. Ovation Digital Arts sets itself apart by carefully curating exceptional artists and helping them grow their brands and businesses through exposure on Ovation TV and highly personalized audience development support. […]

Justice Network Launches in January 2015

The Justice Network will launch in the USA in January 2015. It will consist of a mix of court programming, public service announcements, missing children alerts and safety information. Source: FOX News

Real Estate Network to Launch in 2016

With the goal of becoming the premier provider real estate news, information and entertainment both on television and the web, a group of cable, media and real estate professionals have joined forces to launch The Real Estate Network™ by early 2016. Founded by CEO Robert Atkinson, a prominent real estate entrepreneur from Minnesota, the new […]

TVGN Rebrands as POP

TVGN (TV Guide Network), the entertainment channel, is rebranding as POP, a multi-platform destination dedicated to celebrating the fun of being a fan. Launching in the first quarter of 2015 with over 400 hours of fan-fueled original programming, POP will provide a multi-platform destination that creates content around the things popping in fan culture, with […]

Discovery Fit & Health Rebrands as Discovery Life Channel

Discovery Communication is to relaunch Discovery Fit & Health as Discovery Life Channel (DLC) in January 15, 2015. Profiling ordinary people in extraordinary situations, DLC presents an unfiltered look at real relationships – from patient and doctor to husband and wife or parent and child – while also emphasizing people as they face hardships, take […]

IMAX Launches Film Fund

In support of its institutional theatre network, IMAX Corporation has announced the creation of the IMAX Original Film Fund (Fund) to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large-format films. The Fund, which will be capitalized at up to $50 million, will finance an ongoing supply of educational documentaries that push the envelope of traditional documentary […]

American Heroes Channel Launches AHC Films Documentary Strand

American Heroes Channel (AHC) has announced the launch of AHC Films a new outlet for independent non-fiction filmmakers seeking a television home for documentary projects. AHC Films will celebrate a wide range of heroes through uplifting and engaging films dedicated to powerful stories of the men and women who have shaped the world we live […]

Military Channel Rebrands as American Heroes Channel (AHC)

Discovery’s Military Channel is rebranding as American Heroes Channel (AHC) from Monday 3rd March 2014. American Heroes Channel expands on the Military Channel’s promise to honor the great defenders of our freedom, while providing a rare glimpse into major events that shaped our world and the trailblazers and unexpected advocates who made a difference. The […]

BIO Channel Rebrands as FYI

Launching summer 2014, A+E Networks’ BIO Channel will be rebranded as FYI, a contemporary lifestyle network reflecting how people actually live their lives today.  Jana Bennett, President of FYI and LMN, will oversee the new network. For your inspiration, for your imagination or for your innovation, FYI will be a personalized experience for each viewer.  […]

ID Xtra Launches in 2014

Discovery Networks CEEMEA is launching a new female-skewing channel across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa in Spring 2014. The channel will focus on content that explores factual mysteries and suspense. Read more: Broadband TV News

Gusto TV launches in Canada

Gusto TV, Canada’s new Food & Lifestyle specialty channel launched on Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The independent media broadcast offers exciting new programming to viewers, through TV and subscription video on demand service, as well as the convenience of TV Everywhere, including broadband to computers, tablets and devices. Gusto features first-run cooking, food and lifestyle programming, […]

Nat Geo People Launches in Early 2014

National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has announced the launch of Nat Geo People – a brand new channel that offers unfiltered, intimate access to the true, amazing and inspiring stories of real people all over the world.  Exploring the emotional and experiential journeys of fascinating individuals whose everyday lives both astonish and resonate, Nat Geo […]

WealthTV Rebrands as AWE

WealthTV is being rebranded as AWE  (A Wealth of Entertainment) from 1st October 2013. Source: Broadcasting & Cable

Discovery Channel U.S. and Discovery Networks International Launch New Global $500,000 Landmark Development Fund

Discovery Channel U.S. and Discovery Networks International (DNI)  have announced the launch of a new Global Landmark Development Fund in the amount of $500,000 to fuel the next generation of groundbreaking epic series and landmark events. Discovery Channel and DNI are working in partnership to kickstart the creation of the next big breakthrough programs in […]

Bye Bye Blighty

UKTV Channel Blighty has ceased to exist, making way for a channel dedicated to drama called…Drama. Source: Broadcast.

New Channel: Pivot

Pivot (pivot.tv), which  launches 1st August 2013, is a new television network from Participant Media serving passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content, and its website TakePart.com […]

TLC Launches In UK on 30th April 2013

Discovery Networks International will launch TLC in the UK and Ireland on Tuesday 30 April 2013. TLC, already the world’s biggest female entertainment channel, will be exclusively premiering hit shows from the US, alongside a host of original UK series featuring well-known stars. Filled with exciting, new and enjoyable entertainment shows, and featuring remarkable and […]

BBC Launches Expert Women YouTube Channel

The BBC has launched of a new resource for programme makers looking for female specialist contributors: the BBC Expert Women database and YouTube channel. The database contains details of the 60 women who have so far received training via BBC Academy Expert Women Days, a series of free events designed to address the lack of […]

G4 Becomes Esquire Network

Beginning April 22, 2013, the G4 network will be rebranded the Esquire Network. The network is a strategic partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst Magazines to create the only television network aimed at the full, multi-faceted lives of today’s modern men. Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, Esquire Network will be headed up by General Manager Adam […]

New MSNBC Documentary Strand: Maximum Drama

MSNBC’s new Maximum Drama series guarantees viewers an all-access pass to places they’ve never been before. The series will include never-before-seen images from inside the chaos. Maximum Drama will expose hard truths and startling revelations with rare and, often times, raw access, proving that real-life drama is engaging, more revealing and sometimes even more frightening […]

CNN Films

CNN has announced the creation of CNN Films to secure feature-length documentaries for air on CNN and CNN International, alongside theatrical distribution.  The move is part of a wider strategy to acquire original non-fiction content to complement CNN’s award-winning news programs. Girl Rising the first documentary acquired by CNN Films, will air in spring 2013.  […]

Sheffield Doc/Fest Sessions on iTunes and YouTube

Sheffield Doc/Fest has launched a weekly podcast series iTunes and sessions from the 2012 festival are available to watch on the Sheffield Doc/Fest YouTube channel, which to date features 149 sessions, including an impressive line-up of interviews and masterclasses.

Each week, Doc/Fest will make a new session podcast available to download, drawing from a spectacular back catalogue dating to 2004.

ITVS International Moves to Rolling Applications

ITVS International no longer has a once a year submission deadline but will now consider projects on a rolling basis.   The International Initiative provides production and/or post-production funds for single non-fiction television documentaries that bring international perspectives, ideas, stories and people to a U.S. audience. This initiative is for non-U.S. producers and filmmakers who live […]

UKTV Yesterday Rebrands for Younger Audience

UKTV channel Yesterday has launched a new brand proposition with a raft of fresh programmes that will reflect the channel’s brand promise, Entertainment Inspired By History. The strategic shift in Yesterday’s content is aimed at attracting a more diverse audience to the channel by providing programmes that are accessible and entertaining, while keeping history at […]

Footprints: New Documentary Strand Launched on Sky Atlantic

A new feature documentary strand called Footprints is being launched by Sky Altantic. It will commission or acquire up to twelve documentaries for peak time. The first original commission is The Grim Sleeper, film about a man on trial accused of being a serial killer, directed by Nick Broomfield. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,  a film […]

E! Rebrands

E!’s New Look, Logo, Brand Campaign and “Pop of Culture” Tagline Will Debut on the Network and Digital Platforms on July 9th, 2012. The evolution is centered on expanding, elevating and enhancing the global pop culture brand to achieve the network’s mission to inspire and entertain the pop culture fan in all of us. E! […]

New Channel: NuevOn (YouTube)

Ben Silverman’s multimedia studio Electus have announced the initial programming and talent line-up for its new Hispanic celebrity-oriented, pop culture channel, NuevOn (Spanish for ‘New On’), which launched on April 16th on YouTube™.NuevOn, which will feature high-impact, buzz-worthy programming almost entirely in Spanish, with a variety of entertaining reality, drama and comedy formats that are […]

Planet Green Becomes Destination America

Discovery Communications announced that Planet Green will turn red, white, and blue when it is re-named Destination America on Monday, May 28, 2012. Kicking off Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season, Destination America will be the first network to celebrate the people, places, and stories of the United States, emblazoned with […]

New Channel 4 Strand: The Shooting Gallery

Channel 4 is providing a new television platform for short films called The Shooting Gallery and has been working closely with online video platform Vimeo as partners.

The Shooting Gallery will bring the best short films, branded content and virals from around the world and showcase them alongside original commissions funded by innovation support fund – the Alpha Fund. In its previous incarnation running as a strand in the mid-1990s, The Shooting Gallery introduced the early works of Shane Meadows, Annie Griffin and Clio Barnard, amongst others.

The 2011 version rides the wave of new short form content that has exploded on the internet in recent years, but until now, has yet to find a mainstream TV outlet.

The strand will return periodically to support programmes in Channel 4’s peak schedule. The first show The Shooting Gallery: Caught on Camera, will broadcast on the 22nd March, 2012 and focus on a mixture of original commissions, award-winning shorts and internet hits focusing on still image and photography.

The Shooting Gallery: China will broadcast on March 29th, 2012 and comprises of a selection of shorts, a number of which have been curated by Vimeo, which centre on modern China, supporting Niall Ferguson’s new series China: Triumph and Turmoil as well as Gok Wan: Made in China.

New Channel: El Rey

El Rey, a new US channel based will launch in 2014. Proposed by legendary Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures executives John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, this network is designed to be an action-packed, general entertainment network in English for Latino and general audiences that includes a mix of reality, scripted and animated series, […]

New Channel: REVOLT

REVOLT, a new US channel based will launch in 2013. Proposed by superstar and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs and MTV veteran Andy Schuon, this network is designed to have programming inspired by music and pop culture, including music videos, live performances, music news, and interviews and will incorporate social media interaction for music artists and […]

New Channel: Nature Conservation Channel

The Nature Conservation Channel is an online TV channel due to launch some time in 2012. It offers wildlife filmmakers and conservation organizations a platform for short(2 – 9 mins) films and live-streaming and content will also be available via mobile devices. The content will be curated by a team of ex-BBC wildlife filmmakers. Read […]

New Channel: BabyFirst Americas

BabyFirst Americas, a new US channel based will launch in April 2012. Proposed by Spanish language television veteran Constantino “Said” Schwarz, this network is designed for infants, very young children, and their parents, and emphasizes the importance of early development of verbal, math and motor skills. “BabyFirst Americas aims to bring the essential academic building […]

New Channel: Aspire

Aspire, a new US channel based in Atlanta will launch in summer 2012. Spearheaded by NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, in partnership with GMC TV, Aspire is dedicated to delivering enlightening, entertaining and positive programming to African-Americans families, including movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational […]

HD Net becomes AXS

DNet, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) have announced a joint venture that will rebrand HDNet/HDNet Canada to launch AXS TV (pronounced: access). Scheduled to debut summer 2012, AXS TV will leverage the global reach and portfolio of content opportunities of its partners to create live entertainment and lifestyle programming. Capitalizing on […]

Out: Current TV UK

Current UK has announced today that BSkyB has withdrawn support for the channel and it is likely to stop broadcasting by mid March 2012. In a statement they said: “Obviously the entire team at Current is devastated by this news. However, we’d like to thank you for your support and belief in independent television. We […]

Is this the hottest funeral director in the world?

RJ Williams is a funeral director and skate dude. And possibly the hottest funeral director in the world. Watch the video:

Historical Facebook

Ever wonder what the world would have been like if Facebook had been around hundreds of years ago? Me neither. But someone obviously has. Check out updates from God, Abraham Lincoln and the Titanic here.

BBC College of Production: How to Get an Idea Commissioned

The BBC College of Production provides a (growing)  range of resources to help anyone interested in making TV and radio programmes. Their website includes articles, videos and podcasts. This one is about how to get an idea commissioned and includes contributions from Camilla Lewis, managing director at Cineflix UK, head of factual at Silver River […]

Peek Behind the Scenes of Channel 4’s Alpha Fund

Channel 4’s Alpha Fund was set up in January 2011 set up to encourage the development of TV ideas from new and emerging independent production companies in the UK. The fund’s managers are tasked with being closer to grassroots creative communities, often in advance of commissioning editors, to talent spot, to shape smart ideas and […]

What the UK TV Controllers Want – MGEITF Review by Paul D.

If you couldn’t make it to the Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival this year (or time spent in The George impinged on your session going), you can catch up with what all the commissioners and controllers are looking for with this very comprehensive review – including video clips – from Paul D. (follow him […]

I Know What Drugs You Did Last Night: Ketamine Kid

Three Billion dug up this video of a guy at a party and suggest it could be the best anti-drugs video ever. Decide for yourself:

Hot Chocolate for Bedouins

Filmmaker Sebastian Lindstrom aims to raise awareness about issues around the world using documentary, but appears to do so with a rare wit and sense of the absurd. His documentary Hot Chocolate for Bedouins promotes camel milk as a healthy alternative to cow’s milk.  The documentary is part of his work his nonprofit foundation What […]

India Outsources Call Centres to the USA

The Washington Post reports that rising wages in India have led Indian outsourcing companies to staff their call centres with workers in America. The workers, largely uneducated African Americans earn around $12-14 an hour plus bonuses, which is four times the wage for a similar worker in India. They get dress-down privileges and free lunch […]

Is Your Library Under Threat? Here’s a Solution

James Econs is a phone box vandal with a ‘Big Society’ conscience. Spotting a disused phone box in Horsely, Surrey he had an idea. A few hours later he’d installed shelves and books and turned it over to the community as a free book exchange. He’s now known as the ‘Banksy of carpentry’. Read more […]

360-Degree Lens For Your iPhone

Kogeto, a NYC design company is about to launch a 360-degree lens attachment for the iPhone that can capture video in the round wherever you are. They crowdfunded it via Kickstarter raising more than $60,000 with 36 days still to run on the campaign (and a goal of just $20,000). Watch the video here:  

Hey NYC, What Song Are You Listening to?

Ty Cullen went out on to the streets of NYC to ask random strangers what songs they were listening to and compiled them into a soundtrack of the city. Watch the video: via PSFK